An FIR has been registered against Delhi's former Law Minister Somnath Bharti based on his wife Lipika Bharti's complaint, police said on Thursday.
Four rounds of mediation over three months failed upon which Ms. Lipika Bharti approached Dwarka (North) police station in southwest Delhi on Wednesday.
However, the AAP legislator from Malviya Nagar is unlikely to be arrested immediately, said Dependra Pathak, Joint CP (Southwestern Range). “We will probe the allegations thoroughly first before we decide to arrest the MLA,” said Mr. Pathak.
Mr. Bharti, however, said he also got to know about the fresh FIR from media. He termed the charges as baseless saying he and his wife had been living in separate houses for almost two years now.
Hinting at a political conspiracy, Mr. Bharti said that his case was already pending with Delhi Commission for Women. “I have nothing to say in this case as it is pending with DCW and police. It's a personal matter,” he said.
The legislator who has been courting controversies since the first time the Aam Aadmi Party came to power has been booked for four offences.
The allegations include harassment dowry, attempt to murder Ms. Lipika Bharti and her unborn child, torturing by having dogs chase her and cheating by making false claims prior to marriage.
Ms. Lipika Bharti had initially levelled these allegations in June this year and had approached the Delhi Commission for Women. However, she now wants action against him and no further mediation.
